VIRGINIA BEACH
Think you can't find a parking spot at the Oceanfront?
"You may have us confused with someone else," reads a draft of a new city Web page.
Believe the Virginia Beach Convention Center is for out-of-towners?
"Sorry," the yet-to-be launched site says, "the new convention center is used much more by locals."
Yeah, but we all know the resort strip is for tourists, not Beach denizens. Right?
"This claim is about as ridiculous as a Chihuahua wearing a cardigan," the site retorts.
Sensing a theme here?
Virginia Beach is about to launch an advertising campaign - called the "Gift of Tourism." The idea is to show Beach residents how the tourism industry feeds the city's economy and improves their quality of life.
It's also designed to combat the perception that the Oceanfront, particularly during the summer, is meant to be a tourist-only destination.
The debate - townies versus tourists - is a common one in resort communities across the country, but Beach officials think they can make some headway if they articulate how tourism and convention business brings in cultural activities, more and better restaurants and helps lower taxes.
"We can pinpoint that a whole lot better," said Jim Ricketts, the director of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The campaign - which is still getting tweaks and could publicly launch next month - is a two-year program that will cost $150,000, said City Manager Jim Spore. Chuck Applebach, the convention bureau's vice president of marketing and strategic partnerships, said he'd like to see the program continue and succeed.
The budget will come from the city's Tourism Growth Investment Fund, an account funded, in part, by amusement, hotel and meals taxes. The campaign's newspaper and radio advertisements will feature disclaimers that they are paid for by that fund, which generates most of its revenue from out-of-towners.
The program will include the Web site - www.giftoftourism.com - dealing with what the city calls "tourism myths." The site, penned in a chatty tone, also will offer links helping locals find restaurants, attractions and events.
"What we find is a lot of time you have people who have a negative view of the Oceanfront, but they haven't been here in years," Councilman John Uhrin said. "The Oceanfront has continually evolved. In my mind, for the better."
Ricketts said the campaign has to give accurate data or it's "spinning a story without anything to say to back it up."
"It behooves us, really, to do a better job getting the information out so the citizens in the community are better informed," Ricketts said. "So they can make decisions. Most reasonable people would say, 'Yeah, the industry is a good industry.' "
The campaign can't be too sunny, some residents say.
"If it's just the good side of it, a lot of people are going to be cynical," said Chandler Scarborough, past president of the Council of Civic Organizations.
"They'll ask, 'What are the pieces you're not telling us?'... The more folks know about it, the better it is. But marketing by definition is selling a specific point of view."
Councilwoman Reba McClanan said the timing is suspicious.
The goal seems to be making residents feel better about investing in tourism just as plans move forward to potentially spend tens of millions of dollars on the development of the old Dome site and the construction of a headquarters hotel for the convention center, she said. "It's almost like it's an afterthought," McClanan said. "Hey, you guys, we decided that, now that we need you all to cough up some money, you need to go along with this. That's one way to do things."
Applebach said the campaign has been under design for months. He said the City Council made communicating the value and benefits of tourism a priority, and this campaign is the implementation of that.
Still, some blowback is to be expected, said Greg Ward, a partner at BCF, the local marketing agency that helped craft the concept.
"With any kind of advertising, it's difficult to please everyone," Ward said. "There's going to be a minority that complain about any message."
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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Mr. Barrett and his temper
Mr. Barrett, You state "We have invested private dollars and expect to receive a very good return on our investment. But the point is, much of the infrastructure in the Beach district was constructed in early 1900; it is sadly worn out and needs to be replaced. You and the anti tax zealots at the VBTA have and will scream bloody murder if the infrastructure renovation takes place in conjunction with a new project, even though the new project will create tax revenue that exceeds 15 to 20 times the tax revenue generated on the site today".
I am glad to see that you are investing in the resort area and I hope that your goals of profit are exceeded and never end. The problem is that you expect the taxpayers to enable your development in the form of millions of dollars to improve the infrastructure. Why don't the developers do the improvements under the city guidance and turn it over to the city taxpayers when it is done.
There's something they're not telling us
I have three quick comments about the story:
If you have to explain why doing something is a good idea, perhaps its not.
If tourism is so effective, perhaps the $150K could be better spent by attracting tourists.
Both the Agency (with the campaign) and Mr. Applebach did not address the issue pointed out in the story – the fact locals don’t feel the beach and the so called-improvements are for them.
Based on the above, there’s another issue they’re not telling us about.
Ditto on this:BTW when was
Ditto on this:BTW when was the Constitution revised to include charity, subsidies, health programs, welfare and other human difficulty relief? We should return to our roots within the strict boundaries of the Constitution.
What's new Mike...
He has told you on multiple boards he no longer lives in Sandbridge.
Hey Henry, Where did you go? Answer the questions.
Developer contribution
Well thanks Reid for stating the obvious. As a developer that has invested millions of dollars in the Beach district in recent years, and is investing millions more right now for a new office building, that is exactly what we have done. We have invested private dollars and expect to receive a very good return on our investment. But the point is, much of the infrastructure in the Beach district was constructed in early 1900; it is sadly worn out and needs to be replaced. You and the anti tax zealots at the VBTA have and will scream bloody murder if the infrastructure renovation takes place in conjunction with a new project, even though the new project will create tax revenue that exceeds 15 to 20 times the tax revenue generated on the site today. So save all of us the lecture about public private investment; you will gladly accept revitalization in Sandbridge where you live and call it neighborhood revitalization, but if that happens at the Beach District you call it subsidization of the resort developer. That is a classic double standard, but what else is new from you, Moss, and the VBTA.
Henry R
As you have the podium, why don't you discuss it. Several real issues have been layed at your feet on this thread. Why not address them? The problems at the oceanfront are glaring. One would think having a commitee and all that some of them would be noticed by you all. I mean no disrespect, as I am intrigued by waht your reply may be, but it would appear that this is as I predicted: lip service.
The City Spin
Just because every other mass transit system is a subsidy, there is no need to repeat mistakes. BTW when was the Constitution revised to include charity, subsidies, health programs, welfare and other human difficulty relief? We should return to our roots within the strict boundaries of the Constitution. If Government doesn't want church in government, then why does the government take the job of the church. Charity is the business of churches. Personally, I don't wish to contribute to the support of any person outside of my own family and possibly a friend in need. I am not my neighbors keeper. He can keep himself. I have worked hard and long for every dollar that I have and don't care to be forced to share by the government. This article is about the City spending the taxpayers money that was entrusted to them and that is required to be spent discretely. The spending on misdirection to educate the VB citizen about the gift of tourism is criminal. There is no gift of tourism, only cost to the taxpayer. The gift is to the Hotel and Restaurant Owners.
What A Crock
It seems like every time I turn around the city council is making us pay millions of dollars in taxes to fund corporate "For Profit" hotels like the Hilton at the beach. This dome area project is the same bull. As long as you're charging an arm and a leg for Hampton Roads residents to park at the beach, they are NOT going to take you seriously. I remember when October through April parking used to be free!
What Reid Knows
There isn't a mass transit system in the country that isn't subsidized.
Then, this discussion is supposed to be about the Resort Area and the info program, not mass transit and TOD. It speaks volumes about Reid's TOD paranoia that he goes there.
Anyone want to discuss the program and the Resort Area?
Henry Ryto is wrong-o - again. No surprise there.
hammondjd, You asked what is wrong with focusing development were roads are not needed? Nothing - as long as private enterprise pays for it, not taxpayers. As to Lord Mike Barrett (Runny Meade/Oceanfront Developer)/Henry Ryto's (RAC Man) taxpayer funded TOD dreams, if the private sector wants to develop high density, mixed use future slums and people are dumb enough to pay top dollar for them, fine, but the developers and free loaders like Henry that don't pay the full cost of the mass transit they whine for need to keep their paws out of the taxpayer's pockets. There in lies the problem - local governments in the pockets of developers and free loaders that want others to pay for their taxpayer-subsidized life style. No thanks. BTW, Thanks John for pointing out what a good public service the volunteers from the VBTA are offering our city's taxpayers. No wonder Henry hates the VBTA - he avoids paying taxes like the plague. He prefers to live of OMP.
FACTS About Previous Comment, and the VBTA
A previous poster has made comments about VBTA and that the council has asked for suggestions to cut the budget and received nothing. VBTA is the only group of volunteers in VB that represents the interest of the taxpayer, be it citizen or business. The members of VBTA are from all sections of the community and consist of retired and active military from all ranks through Admiral, past CEO's, business leaders, educators, past Honorable City Councilpersons, industry workers, government contractors, homemakers and citizens. This group of individuals believes in the Constitution, truth and transparency in government, maximum liberty, minimum taxation, maximum opportunity, minimum government and maximum freedom. This group submits many methods and details of cutting budgets and cost, only to be ignored and set aside. You should strongly consider the background of who is telling you the misinformation of the money spenders vs the money tax and cutters. And That's a FACT.
Just what we need - more tourists to make traffic even worse
I don't care how VB wishes to spin it. They have a long history of catering to the business owners and tourists first, the miliary second, and the actual locals last.
Further, with traffic as bad as it is, VB has no business building more accomidations for more tourists to jam up our tunnels and bridges even more than they already are.
Great job, Myra!
Some More TRUTH About Tourism
Als32295 comments are factual. These figures reveal that the bill for tourism is paid by the Citizens General Fund and the dedicated taxes that should be going to benefit the citizens to lower the tax rate. The $150K dollars being spent to educate and misinform the citizens of VB is coming from the dedicated taxes that belong to the citizens called the TGIF. These are in fact taxes that are waylaid(dedicated)to the resort by the resort/industrial supporting City Council and City Manager. The TGIF is NOT resort money - It is taxpayer money. Groups like the self interested RAC(Henry Ryto has taken on the chore of speaker)are representatives of the Hotel and Restaurant owners and ARE NOT team players with the citizens who are subsidizing tourism. The citizens pay for advertising, growth, infrastructure improvements, beautification, cleanup, trash collection, new roads, police, fire protection, parks and then 100% of the entire entertainment bill for the tourists that benefit the RAC members. The minuscule amount of money (compared to the taxpayers share) paid by the RAC mnembers is not a relevant factor. The City/RAC combined actions are unconscionable and shameful and need to be more
no traffic he says
Did you all hear that? Skoops said he could make the drive from Suffolk in 30 minutes to oceanfront of VB in thirty minutes if there was "no traffic." I am holding my sides laughing. Why would you go to the beach at midnight? Anyhow, it was good fun. Northern Suffolk is beautiful in the fall(I hear). You should check out White Tail Lake. I hear the beach there is very nice and much closer.
OH NOES
You live in Dallas. What do you know about what local government we need or don't?
oh,oh
mikey has joined the blog....the government excusemeister, never saw a tax,user fee,assessment,toll, or fine he didn't approve of. Of course his income is dependent upon...."public money"
Open Question to Greenmun
With gas prices around $4 a gallon right now (which I'm sure will look like as much of a bargain in six months as $2 does right now), and likely to stay there regardless of McSame's promise of giving fifteen cents of it back, how, exactly, is focusing development in places where people don't have to drive bad policy to you?
Wow, that's a mean little
Wow, that's a mean little campaign, there. I already try to go out of my way to find beaches that don't look like Tel Aviv on a good day, but this makes me less inclined to want to spend my time at the Boardwalk, not more.
Skoops is scooped
At what velocity are you traveling, what type of vehicle are you using and what time are you leaving to get to the beach in 30 minutes from your home?
Have to pull the BS flag on you again Skoops.
I live closer to the oceanfront, all interstate and it takes me 30 minutes traveling 60-65.
Your exaggeration, like your grammar, is very poor indeed...
Of course Greenmun and his
Of course Greenmun and his cohorts at the VBTA are one good reason that the city needs to be clear about the fiscal dividends provided to all of us by the operation of the resort. As a rule of thumb, every overnight visitor deposits $10.00 directly into the city treasury everyday that he or she visits our fair city. That's why we have the lowest tax rate in the region and the best overall services. Now Greenmun and his group are on a concentrated campaign to discredit the city's tourism efforts, while at the same time enjoying the programs and services that the visitor helps to pay for. Greenmun had the audacity to tell City Council a few years ago that they could easily cut $50,000,000 from the budget. To his surprise, they asked him to return and tell them specifically what they should cut. Greenmun declined. It is always easy to say cut, cut, cut, but of course, many citizens want the services he would cut. Beware the advocate who only looks at one side of the equation.
I don't care...
..about the Oceanfront. It's a tourist trap. Always has been, always will be. The end.
What I do care about is the fact that there is no affordable housing, there is horrible pay for the cost of living and no decent jobs.
I am a college educated, tax paying, law abiding citizen of Virginia Beach. I will be leaving this area soon, not because I want to, but because I will have to if I want a decent life for myself. I have lived here for 22 of the 27 years of my life and it makes me sad that the place that raised me and made me the person I am today is forcing me to, basically, leave because they can't see the forrest for the trees.
Trust me...
If suffolk had an ocean beach I would never... ever... go into VB.
skoops88!
Gosh, since North Suffolk has so much going on, why do you need to "come to our beaches on the weekend"?
qoute
Mr Ward's last statement was rather prophetic. At last count 83% of respondents to the poll think this is a waste of money...put my "share" where the sun is never seen...
vb
Haven't been to the oceanfront in years,not since I was charged for a glass of water at the Raven. Sandbridge is the place to go
yes Ira, 30 minutes...
664 to 164 to midtown tunnel to downtown Norfolk to 264 to the beach... no traffic - 30 minutes easily... you do know where "north" Suffolk is right? Get a map, don't you have more important things to worry about there in NC like thinking of excuse why jets can't land there and fighting fires that are polluting VA's sky???
Evolved for the better?
...are you kidding? Are we talking about the same beach? They can color it up all they want, the tourist from out of town has more pull at the beach and always will...
katet
I told you so...
30 minute drive huh? Apparently his math skills are on par with his grammar.
You are right...
North Suffolk; cheaper housing, no tourist, no military, no jet noise, no jet pollution, green space, good roads, less traffic, less people, a fraction of the blight and only 30 minute drive to the beach. Man I guess I am the loser for living here. You all in VB have fun as the tourist and the military keep raising the price of housing and taxes. And I will come and enjoy your beaches on the weekend!!!
Kate, I'm with you
I do not appreciate people calling our military trash -- I have no connections to the military at all.
Now back to the subject at hand - VB and tourism. I really got a few chuckles reading the comments about folks going to Dover, having lived thre the majority of my adult life I just find it amusing people would prefer there to VB. I love VB, I just stay away during the height of tourist season, just as I avoided the resort towns in Delaware for all those years.
Personally I think the ad campaign is silly, but would be better utilized during the off-season.